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Published: January 19th 2007
Hi Everyone,
I’m back in Nairobi now. We left Rongo yesterday morning. I was sad to go. I had such a wonderful time in Rongo. Everyone was so nice. It was sad to say good-bye to Hosea’s family, (I stayed with them for the week) especially two of his brothers, Bobby and Freddy. Bobby is my age and is just a fun guy to hang out with. Because he’s my age mate he was my buddy for the week. Freddy is a musician and is a fun guy to spend time with. I have his cd. It’s really good. I’m going to make a page for him and his group on myspace when I’m back in the states. I’ll put the link up on this site when it’s ready, so keep an eye out for it.
I have sooooo much to write about my time in Rongo. It was absolutely incredible. I’ll be writing more detailed entries when I get back to the States because internet here has been very slow and not very reliable. The relocation ceremony was wonderful. The house was put up in a day. =) Unfortunately the camera I was supposed to use was supposed to have had a full battery, but a couple min. into things it died on me. Not much you can do about that when you’re in an area without electricity. Shortly after that my own camera showed low battery. It lasted the whole day and I was even able to take some video clips. I was just a bit more conservative with my picture taking than I would have liked to have been. Between Hosea’s, Agnes’ and my cameras though things were pretty well covered. Instead of making a documentary film now, I’m thinking of doing a picture film. I have audio recordings of the prayers that were said and songs that were sung by the women through out the day. It’s not exactly what I was planning, but things rarely work out here the way you plan them.
I met a lot of people and even learned a few Luo words (greetings). Everyone was so excited when I used them. =) I got several marriage proposals from parents for their sons. Hehe… Dad, if you want, you can have ten cows for me. lol The country side in that area is beautiful. Lots of green rolling hills (have had lots of rain recently). All of it is farmland. The main crops are sugar and corn, but there are also lots of others. (I might have written this in my last entry. Sorry if I did). I visited lots of schools. One is a public school that was built by a man named Timon. It’s way out in the middle of nowhere and serves a very impoverished area. Many of the kids are orphans and are receiving help with school fees due to the fundraising that Timon does when he’s back in the Twin Cities most of the year. The school is only 5 years old and the high school has now graduated its first class. For the first time a student from that area will be attending University. There were six other students that were accepted to a public university here but don’t have the resources to attend and didn’t qualify to receive aid from the government because their grades weren’t quite high enough. If things don’t work out with the Peace Corps, I’m thinking of going back there to volunteer there instead. I love the area and already have contacts.
In Rongo I met with a man who has started several self-help groups. They work on mainly agricultural projects. His wife has also started a women’s group. It may also be a possibility to work with them on their projects if Peace Corps doesn’t work out. I know I would love to return to this area, especially since I have friends there now. I unfortunately have to go now. I still have so much to write about, but it will have to wait. Just know that I’m having a wonderful time and am learning so much! Everyday here has been so incredible. I wish I could share it all with you and will try my best when I’m back in the states. I miss you all very much. Take care! Oriti (bye)
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Teena
non-member comment
You sound busy!
Wow Rachel. Sounds like a great time (except the electronic glitches) and that you're making a ton of friends/contacts. Be safe.